Ake's Pains debuted in the University of Akron Buchtelite in September of 1977. The school's reputation as an institute of higher learning has still not recovered. Ake's Pains returns after a brief 32 year hiatus. It's back, baby!

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

I’m Not Getting Older – Don’t Even Mention It (The Aging Chronicles Part 1)

It was one of those, horrendous, milestone events.The type which shakes you to your core and
you remember forever, because it is so traumatic.

And it all started so pleasantly.I met my good friend Michael for breakfast
at, what used to be, my favorite restaurant.We had just started perusing the menu, when Michael said:

“See right here on back”, he said as he reached over and
turned my menu around.

And there they were, six entrees discounted for those
customers, not 65 and older, like most places. No, these discounts applied to
people age 55 and older.

That’s right, some stupid sonavabitch in corporate
marketing thought it would be a swell idea to start their senior discounts at a
lower age than the competition.What a
stupid, stupid, sonavabitch.He’s
probably one of those “millennials” who drives a Prius.I bet he doesn’t even wear a tie. What a
horrible idea by this stupid sonavabitch restaurant.I wanted to bolt out of the place right then.

I didn’t even look at these “special” dishes. Not that I
was afraid I would actually want one, absolutely not.I assumed that all of them came with a big
glass of prune juice and I’m certainly not interested in that.

I am not going to order some “senior-discounted” meal
because I am not “old” by any means or by any standard.I am still a vibrant, virile, man; full of
life and making a meaningful, relevant, impact on my world.By no means do I need any help whatsoever
paying for my £#>*ing breakfast!

I can’t image why the sonavabitch restaurant thinks I would
need one of these geriatric specials.Do
they include stuff like creamed oatmeal to make it easier for geezers to chew
and digest?Well, that might give the
old people less gas and I certainly don’t have that problem … okay forget I
even talked about that.Maybe the foods
are high in fiber, because I’ve heard that elderly people have problems
pooping.I certainly don’t need that
because I take fiber pills.Oh yeah, I
know many old people use Metamucil, but I don’t take it because I’m old.I only use it because it helps certain health
conditions that have built up over the many years … okay, forget I even
mentioned that.

“Are you going to get one those specials?” Michael asked
enthusiastically, not realizing he was really fizzing me off.

“Well unfortunately, I don’t qualify for the discount”, he
said with just a touch of smugness and a smirk.

Now I’m really fizzed off.I want to scream “Michael, shut your pancake hole about these d@%m
specials. You stupid, stupid, sonavabitch.” But he’s my friend, so I let it go.

Fortunately, our perky, chicky-babe, waitress bounces over
to take our order.But after Michael orders,
she turns to me and says excitedly:

“Sir, did you see our senior specials?!!!!!!!!!"

Thought, but not said: Yes, you cheerful bitch, thanks to
that sonavabitch Michael. I know all about your stupid specials.

And “Sir”, really? Once the young hot chicks start calling
you “sir” you have crossed a line that hurts you deeply.I wanted to tell her that even though I am
middle-aged, I could still be a stud muffin, like Sean Connery, for
example.Well maybe a younger Sean
Connery, who was able to play James Bond and frolic with the “Bond Girls” into
his 50’s.

I wanted to tell her that I was still capable of ringing
her bell. Of course, I would need 60 minutes’ notice in order for my blue pill
to kick in.Obviously I don’t really
need this drug, only old guys really need it.I just use it for a little help. Wait, I don’t mean anything is actually
that little. I’m just making sure, as the commercial says, it’s very beneficial
for guys as they age …. okay, let’s forget I ever brought this up, err, I mean,
mentioned it.

My fantasy was rudely interrupted by the waitress joyfully
asking:

“Did you see our new Prune-tastic Platter?It’s like a shrimp platter you get at a
seafood place, only with prunes!There are
stewed prunes, dried prunes, pureed prunes, prune casserole and a prune muffin.
You also get a large glass of prune juice to wash it all down!” (Prune juice! –
I freakin’ knew it!)

I looked at her incredulously and was at a loss for words.

She then continued, “Don’t worry about eating that many
prunes. Since we added this to the menu, we’ve stocked the restrooms with
3-ply, super-soft, toilet paper.” Then lowering her voice to a whisper and
leaning towards me she added, “Because some people who order this have hemorrhoid
issues.”Of course I do have hemorrhoid
problems, but not because I’m old. It’s just from sitting on my butt in cushy
office jobs for many, many, ye…. okay, forget I mentioned this also.

This breakfast had gone totally wrong.The waitress is supposed to be flirting with
me in hopes of getting a big tip.I am
supposed to flirt back, because that’s how this game is played.But now, all the waitress cares about is making
me poop and assuring that it is an enjoyable experience.I now feel like I am 90 years old.

I said defiantly, “I will have the Atomic Bacon Blast with
a side order of bacon and I will wash it all down with a couple of raw eggs.
And I want my bacon, shaken, not stirred”.

I do this to prove to the chicky-babe that I have the
arteries (among other things) of a much younger man.Which of course I don’t. My doctor is
treating me for high cholesterol, not because I’m old, but because that gunk just
builds up in your arteries over an extended time … ugh .. forget I said
anything about this too.

I was finally able to enjoy my breakfast, as I stuff my
face with over a pound of delicious bacon. I leave the waitress a huge tip to prove I
didn’t need their insulting discount.I
proudly walk past the restroom and its soft, 3-ply paper, on the way out.However, as I reach the parking lot I do experience
some strong chest pains, but I think it may have just been gas. Maybe I should
have ordered the creamed oatmeal after all.

1 comment:

I've had to scale back my activities from what they once were. It's not that I'm getting old, it's just that I've figured out what I want to burn my energy on and I place a great deal of value on a good nights sleep.In high school I ran a 4.9 second 40 yd dash, now I get winded walking to the top of my steps. Don't even show me a stop watch!I have chosen to limit the frequency at which I bend at the waste because it's becoming less of an option and it's a long way down to my shoe tops and I might get lost and not find my way back.Old people are credited for spending vast amounts of time in the bathroom. Its because they are actually smarter that the rest of us.1. No one wants to see an old person on the toilet so no body bothers them there.2. Most modern bathrooms have many forms of entertainment, magazines, news papers, and the occasional novel to read. So grand parents can entertain themselves for hours.3. Perfect excuse - " I forgot..."4. If at first you don't succeed,... Take a nap.